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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Today's photo is from my sister's garden as was yesterdays. There were so many monarch butterflies in her garden I couldn't stop myself from taking lots of pics.

I had a lovely day yesterday with the almost 3 year old. We went to Meijer's to pick up a few groceries, played outside on the swings, walked the yard looking for frogs, and walked over to a neighbor's back yard to visit the goats, chickens, rooster, and ducks. We saw a wild rabbit in her yard too. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take my camera. Maybe next time. The second grader arrived by bus around 4:15 and had a snack and then we played outside until her Mom arrived around 5:30.

After dinner, the hubster and I watched the Tiger game (that is until I couldn't keep my eyes open around 9:30), so I didn't get any art done at all. But I got up this morning and sketched the heron that I am planning to take to my watercolor class this afternoon. Here is what I have so far:

I realize his face is somewhat centered on the paper, but I wanted his body to be entering from the left. I will add willow branches above and some grasses in front of him. I don't know if I am going to add water or not. I thought I'd talk it over with the watercolor teacher and see what she suggests.

I need to get on the treadmill, I have a haircut at 10 and then I am going with the hubster to Lowe's. I also have my watercolor class at 4.

I am hoping to find a couple of large sponges at Lowe's - one for absorbing some of the water on my brush when I am painting and one to hold my favorite brushes. Joe Fettingis showed his preferred way to have his brushes handy and what he did was take a large sponge, hold his brushes to it one at a time, trace around them and then use a craft knife to cut out a depression so that they could lay flat in it. I'd like to try that.

I am anxious to begin on the heron painting and will share my progress with you tomorrow.

Vicki: I have a brush holder I like very much that I ordered years ago from Cheap Joe's...it's stiff, made of canvas, has sewn slots for the brush handles and closes by folding over so all the brush tips are protected. It's very flat. I also like that you can fold it in half and it holds the brushes upright and makes like a tent shaped stand with velcro holders. Very handy. I'm anxious to see what you do with the sponge brush holder.

Lovely photo - so clear. What camera kit do you use? I love your heron too. We live near a lake which is home to a couple of herons and I just love to see them when I'm walking my dog around in the early morning.